Redeeming from Canada. Seems like a long process (?) .. Argh!

catss · #1 08-27-2001, 04:46 PM

Hi ...

I'm from Canada and I just today read up on how to get paid if one lives outside of the U.S. (At "Redeeming your Eroyalties Credits": http://www.epinions.com/customize/sh...arnings_Center)

What I was wondering about is the process! It seems long and drawn out, but maybe it's not that bad?

It looks like, after I have $100 in my account, I can ask for the money. I knew that anyway.

BUT, since I live outside of the U.S., I FIRST have to write the U.S. Government for a Taxpayer I.D. Number (print out Form W-7), fill it out, and mail it to the U.S. Treasury Department (NOT to Epinions) .. and then, it states, allow the IRS 4-6 weeks to get back to me. (Epinions provides a link to the form for print-out.)

THEN, after I finally receive my # from the Treasury Department, I am to fill out "Form W-8BEN" and mail the completed form plus Epinions' Redemption Request Form to Epinions in California. (They also give a link to download Form W-8BEN from the IRS website.)

THEN, once Epinions receives my forms, they'll e-mail me to confirm my postal address.

THEN, they will mail my check, reduced by an amount of "tax" (up to 31%) that is withheld, and I assume this will all take another number of weeks.

(It also notes that if I had not written any opinions, but earned credits via referrals or partner credits, I would not have had to go through the IRS ......... Are there people here who earn by "not" actually writing opinions ???)

ANYWAY ..... My main questions are simply ... 1) Are there any other Canadians here who have received payment ... and 2) How long did it take all together?

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers!

___^..^___

:p

dancingpotato · #2 08-27-2001, 09:33 PM

I'm Canadian. I'm also under 18 which means I have to wait until I can cash out.

Pfffff.

zzJulia · #3 08-28-2001, 06:46 PM

I think the hardest redemption is the first one...after that you will already have your US Taxpayer Identification Number and Epinions will already have your exemption form on file.

Prior to last year, non US members couldn't redeem at all.

LorinSilver · #4 08-29-2001, 11:12 AM

I myself live in Belgium, but I have a friend who lives in the US.

Now I'm only at about $14, so it's very possible that Epinions' policy may change over the next couple of months... But do you think they'd mind sending the check to her? That way there would be no hassle at all.